The boot of Ian Keatley proved the difference as Munster got back to winning ways in the GUINNESS PRO12 with a narrow 9-7 victory over Ulster at Kingspan Stadium.

The visitors came into the match on the back of three consecutive GUINNESS PRO12 defeats but two penalties and a drop goal for Keatley got them over the line at Ulster.

Keatley was in the thick of the action from the off as he turned over his first penalty inside ten minutes before a Louis Ludik try put Ulster in control.

It looked like the hosts would do enough to hold off the Munstermen but a drop goal and a late penalty saw Keatley put his side in front before they survived a late scare as Paddy Jackson missed from the tee with two-minutes left on the clock
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Munster started on the front foot and had their first chance for points in the eighth minute with a penalty that Keatley turned over.

Ulster burst to life after 11 minutes with a break down the left earning a lineout inside the 22. That worked the hosts in a strong position as they tried to force their way over the line but Anthony Foley’s men held firm and a Munster penalty ensured the danger was cleared.

It was far-from a festival of free-flowing rugby but both sides were pushing for the game’s first try with the hosts producing some strong set pieces in Munster territory and the visitors responding with a brilliant break on the right from Rory Scannell.

Ulster were looking the most likely and some sustained pressure on the Munster line after 23 minutes eventually paid dividends as Ludik forced his way over and Jackson converted.

With time ticking down in the first half Munster went on the offensive with a good Keatley kick moving the visitors up the five-metre line but Ulster held firm.

Munster went on the attack early in the second half but, despite moving the ball well from side to side, Ulster were resolute and once again repelled their advances.

With 15 minutes of the second half gone it was deadlock in the middle of the park with both sides probing but neither able to produce the moment of magic needed to pry open the opposition defence.

Munster were doing a good job of combating the Ulster attack and they finally had some more points on the board after 57 minutes as Keatley turned over a drop goal from just outside the 22 to make it a one-point game.

And they had the lead on the hour with the hosts penalised on their own 22 and Keatley remaining perfect from the tee to give his side a 9-7 advantage.

The hosts had the chance to reclaim the lead three minutes later with Munster penalised for collapsing the scrum but Jackson’s kick fell just short.

Ulster refused to panic but, with five minutes left, they had created little in response to the Munster comeback.

But, with two minutes remaining, Jackson had the chance to give his side the win from the tee but his penalty sailed wide and Anthony Foley’s men took the points back to Thomond Park.

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